"It is so difficult to tell what anything is leading to, especially in such matters. What may be but a mutual attraction one day becomes a bond that never can be broken the next." Dick's voice changed while he was speaking. Perhaps he was not aware himself of the additional gravity in it, but his audience was instantly aware of it. That was the evening they had gone to Richmond; the softest summer evening, twilight just falling; Chatty, very silent, absorbed (as appeared) in the responsibilities of steering; the conversation going on entirely between her mother and Dick, who sat facing them, pulling long, slow, meditative strokes. Even when one is absorbed by the responsibilities of the steerage, one can enter into all the lights and shades of a conversation kept up by two other people, almost better than they can do themselves. "That is true in some cases. Not in Theo's, I think. It seems to me that he gave himself over from the first. I am not sure that I think her a very attractive woman." "Oh yes, mamma!" from Chatty, in an undertone. "I am not talking of looks. She has a good deal of power about her, she will not be easily swayed; and after having suffered a great deal in her first marriage I think she has very quickly developed the power of acting for herself which some women never attain." "So much the better," said Dick. "Theo doesn't want a puppet of a wife." "But he wants a wife who will give in to him," said Mrs. Warrender slightly shaking her head. "I suppose we all do that, in theory: then glide into domestic servitude and like it, and find it the best for us." "Let us hope you will do that," she said, with a smile; "but not Theo, I fear. He has been used to be made much of. The only boy, they say, is always spoiled. You have brothers, Mr. Cavendish,--and he has a temper which is a little difficult." "Oh, mamma," from Chatty again. "Theo is always kind." "That does not make much difference, my dear. When a young man is accustomed to be given in to, it is easy to be kind. But when he meets for the first time one who will not give in, who will hold her own--I do not blame her for that: she is in a different position from a young girl." "And how is it all to be settled?" asked Dick; "where are they to live? how about the child?" "All these questions make my heart sink. He is not in the least prepared to meet them. Her name even; she will of course keep her name." "That always seems a little absurd; that a woman should keep her own name, as they do more or less everywhere but in England--yes; well, a Frenchwoman says _nee_ So-and-so; an Italian does something still more distinct than that, I am not quite clear how she does it. That's quite reasonable I think: for why should she wipe out her own individuality altogether when she marries? But to keep one husband's name when you are married to another----"